as I see it, but an issue of character.

I don’t want to see universities impose impossible-to-enforce rules. But, then I don’t universities standing up to egomaniacal coaches, either.

UofM didn’t have to give their recruits free passes, but they did. If they had not given these releases ahead of time, they still could have later, if they so chose. Or, not.

But, no. They’re throwing wads of cash at these guys, buying ’em houses, lining up benefactors, and begging them to please come coach at our school. They give recruits free outs, should they decide to go for the sizzle, instead of the steak.

For the coach’s part, there’s even less integrity to go around. They tell the recruits, it seems, anything the recruits want to hear if the question about a coach’s staying, or not, should even come up.

(Warning: A geezer’s preaching forthcoming…)

Contrast this with, oh, say, Coach John Wooden. The last class that he promised to see graduate, did. You can be sure that recruits, in the years immediately after this “last class,” posed the same questions to him. And, you can be sure that Coach did not dance around the question, or promise them something that he might not be able to deliver, or lead them on, in any way.

Why not? Because he had character. Because his word was more important to him than a new house or wealth or his own TV show and sponsors. In his twilight coaching years, he thought ahead about this very question. He answered for himself, four years before he retired, the question of whether he had another four years in him. And he thought, specifically, about when was the last group of youngsters for whom he would promise to be there, all four years?

And, then he went right out and lived these convictions. No drama. No publicity. Just a steadfast commitment to principle.

I don’t begrudge coaches new opportunities. And, sometimes it really is better for both parties to move on. But, along the way, I remain appalled at the rampant lack of character in this profession, and at these institutions.

This is, perhaps, reason number 1427 to appreciate Coach Wooden.

As well, reason number 275 to appreciate Coach Howland. Do you recall seeing him in press conferences or running from reporters or issuing denials about interest in other jobs? Neither do I. He handled whatever overtures he has received over the years quietly, privately, with conviction and principle.

The contrast between the Caliparis and Floyds of the coaching world and Coach Howland is great and vast. The contrast between them and Coach Wooden is immeasurable.

We are very, very lucky.

… but I do understand that top students in many fields might select a school based on a particular professor that they want to work with. Same thought with coaching.

Also, I may love UCLA, and it was my first choice – but if I were an elite basketball player, I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t have gone there (I went to school during the Lavin era). I’d pose a question to all of our faithful Bruins – if you were a top basketball player who wanted to improve both as a person and as a player, would you have gone to UCLA to be coached by Lavin?